I get a feeling that we're not all listening to each other.
I think that this group was set-up with international membership, and with a focus on the use of internet in mind.
...
So our internet centric focus must remain. Our drive to share knowledge via Pagoda Notes, Pagoda World is essential. Our inclusive, world-wide nature is also essential. It's part of our original charter.
Unless I'm mistaken, I don't think anyone is suggesting we limit any of the following:
- the international nature of the group.
- the charter of the group.
- the free exchange of ideas and knowledge through the internet.
- the existing level of social interaction within the group through the internet.
To give you a concrete example: do you really believe a Dutchman would have spent hundreds of hours building a website and a technical manual for a group that would be North-American based primarily, with North-American events only, and also happened to have a website? I don't think so.
I think everyone here is a very aware of and grateful for all the hard work you've put into the club website. Again, as far as I am aware, no one is trying to make this club a "North American" one.
That's why I argue that I encourage everyone to join a local club. For Pagoda SL Group it can never be the main goal to be an events centric group, like the 190SL group is... which is very North American and very different in nature to us.
...
I wholeheartedly agree with Garry, and Bullethead, and 69280sl. Dan, just don't try to make the Pagoda SL Group like the 190 SL group... they are not the same. If you don't agree with me, don't vote for me for the board!
No one here has suggested we become "events centric". I don't believe the 190sl group is "events centric" (but not being a member of that group, I think others are in a better position to make that determination). Last I checked, the 190sl group is also an international group. However, no one here is suggesting we become like the 190sl group.
I think there are a number of us who would just like to see more events organized and sponsored by the club, but that is a far cry from an "events centric" club. We are still an international club of pagoda enthusiasts bringing together our passion for the car, and freely exchanging our knowledge through the club website.
Sure, we could strive to make it more of a social, meet one another in person group, with frequent events. That might seem to make the group more inclusive, but I actually think it would make a lot of members feel less part of the group: those unable to attend these events.
I disagree with that. I'm a paying member of MBCA, and I have no problem when there is some event I'm unable to attend due to logistics. I just simply wait for the right one at the right time in the right place. I don't think it's right for me to put my foot down and say that no one else should meet [under the aegis of the club] unless I can also join in the fun. I believe in live and let live. I support the 113 club because I derive enjoyment from participation and would like to see the club grow and prosper. Along the way, I hope to participate in as many forum threads as possible, attend as many events as possible, but I will not harbor any resentment for not being able to do so.
Further into the Home page it states
QUOTE
"The purpose of the Pagoda SL Group is to facilitate the sharing of information and to encourage communication among enthusiasts related to the Mercedes W113 cars. The Club seeks to assist with the care, repair, restoration, collection, and preservation of these classic cars." It also states that the group helps facilitate the "in-person events related to W113 Pagoda cars including car shows, technical sessions, track events, and others for W113 cars"
Its an International Group but most people who are members of this group, if lucky enough to own a Pagoda (or 2) are also members of local car clubs specifically designed for gathering and rallying, That is not the primary intent of this group.
Lately, everyone seems to like quoting sections of our charter. It's like a Rorschach test! We all see what we want to see. When I read that quote above, I think I see a little passage saying that the group helps facilitate "in-person events related to W113 Pagoda cars including car shows, technical sessions, track events, and others for W113 cars". This to me sounds like a great way to
enhance the membership and broaden participation from the group. Again, as far as I can tell, no one here is advocating changing the club to an "events centric" one, or making "gathering and rallying" the primary intent.
However, what is wrong with occasionally
also gathering and having a car show with
only pagodas participating? (I said "only pagodas", not "only pagoda owners"; not trying to exclude anyone). For example, when my restoration in complete, I wouldn't mind putting up my pagoda to see how [poorly] it competes with Michael Salemi's 280sl, or John's (thelews) 250sl. If I want to go see how it competes with a BMW 2002, a Karmann Ghia or a '65 Mustang, by all means I'll enter some local competition. But that's not as valuable. Local judges aren't that savvy about our cars. But if our club is doing something like this on a semi-regular basis, and judged by our deep pool of pagoda talent, I get to compete with other pagodas (and man, would that be a cut-throat competition). The points [deduction] sheet from something like
that would be far more instructive than some backwoods judging sheet where they don't have a clue about our cars. This info would be far more information than I could gather at an informal meeting. Can you imagine how quickly our pagodas would improve? (if we chose to compete, of course). That, to me, is
also a really good way to enhance appreciation for and knowledge of these cars.
But when you get back to the stated purpose of the Group, sharing information and encouraging communication among enthusiasts for the W113, together with in-person events, then this forum already not only achieves but far exceeds its purpose 100%.
Again, I don't see anything in the "stated purpose of the group" that conflicts with or is hampered by adding an official event.
It sounds to me that Dan, John, and I are all in general agreement: we all wish for a main event, sanctioned and sponsored by the club. However, John is also making the very astute observation that perhaps the typical Pagoda owner is not yet ready or motivated enough to make these events happen. This is where I think the support of the club is needed. Once we gain enough momentum, these things will happen. If it doesn't happen, c'est la vie. It's not the end of the world. We can always try harder next time.
I enjoy this Group because it is a mix. We have threads here about the arcane route of a wire from one mystery place to another and also threads about the number of Beige cars. I think we should keep it that way and let let each take from the buffet of offerings whatever he/she enjoys.
Richard sums it up well. I just think we should add some more items to the buffet menu. The tent will only get larger.
